31 minutes at easy pace for 6.04km. My pace was a bit quicker than easy pace, but I could have still held a comfortable conversation, so I'm good. Again, my legs were very stiff to begin the run, but felt a lot better once I was a few kilometers in.
The weather for Sunday looks miserable. It's been changing throughout the week, but the one main element is rain. Not a chance of rain, not scattered showers, but rain. All day. Non stop. I'm a bit surprised. I figured that after months of lousy weather, including a miserably cold and slushy half marathon race, that race day would be a beautiful day. Silly. me.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Day 163 - High School Cross Country
My blog is coming to a close, so I guess it's time to start "reflecting".
Lately I've thinking back to how I first started running 22 years ago. My memory isn't great, but for whatever reason I have very clear memories of my days on the high school cross country team, and my coach, Mr. Morrison.
I remember he cornered some of my friends and I in a hallway after school one night when rain had forced us off the tennis courts. He started talking about how we should join the cross country team. I zoned out half way through his speech because for some reason my mind had concluded that it was exactly what I was searching for.
Before the first week of running was done I had gone up to Mr. Morrison and asked if I should be running in the mornings as well as during regular practice. I think he was a bit surprised - and not too sure how to respond. He told me it would be fine as a wake up in the morning but he didn't seem so enthusiastic. I never did start running twice a day.
I have clear memories of spending days in beautiful crisp fall weather, waiting around for our races (and not having to be in school) and then giving it all to climb those steep dirt paths. There was one at Kelso, with a heavy root sticking out of the ground that was tough to get up. There was another course where we ran up a ski hill.After the races we would always be talking about the those uphill climbs.
There was one race that first year of cross country that Mr. Morrison couldn't make, but before we left he pulled me aside and told me that I could beat the school's top junior racer (who was also a year older). I passed him early on in the race and he couldn't keep pace. I crossed the finish line far ahead of him. For me it was a big deal. It seemed at the time that people were consoling the other racer and were hesitant to fully congratulate me - but it probably wasn't really how it happened. Anyway, Mr. Morrison came to the site near the end of the day and congratulated me - it was so great and he looked genuinely happy for me.
He taught me some great running advice - "when you start to slow down, speed up"... which seemed to work for me. I remember the race and my thought process when I first used that strategy. He also gave me great advice when the school tried to limit the number of sports students were allowed to participate in and thanks to his encouragement I didn't have to choose between tennis and track.
I also remember in my last year of high school, driving up in Mr. Morrison's car with three other runners and a conversation started as to who would have the best chance at running a marathon. I was easily the worst cross country runner of the group, but Mr. Morrison picked me.
Several years ago (several years after high school) I had a temp job at a school where Mr. Morrison's wife worked. I bought a thank-you card, wrote a note and asked his wife to pass it along to him. Even though I had never had him as a teacher in high school he had a huge impact on me during those years.
And in a couple of days I'll be running my first marathon.
Lately I've thinking back to how I first started running 22 years ago. My memory isn't great, but for whatever reason I have very clear memories of my days on the high school cross country team, and my coach, Mr. Morrison.
I remember he cornered some of my friends and I in a hallway after school one night when rain had forced us off the tennis courts. He started talking about how we should join the cross country team. I zoned out half way through his speech because for some reason my mind had concluded that it was exactly what I was searching for.
Before the first week of running was done I had gone up to Mr. Morrison and asked if I should be running in the mornings as well as during regular practice. I think he was a bit surprised - and not too sure how to respond. He told me it would be fine as a wake up in the morning but he didn't seem so enthusiastic. I never did start running twice a day.
I have clear memories of spending days in beautiful crisp fall weather, waiting around for our races (and not having to be in school) and then giving it all to climb those steep dirt paths. There was one at Kelso, with a heavy root sticking out of the ground that was tough to get up. There was another course where we ran up a ski hill.After the races we would always be talking about the those uphill climbs.
There was one race that first year of cross country that Mr. Morrison couldn't make, but before we left he pulled me aside and told me that I could beat the school's top junior racer (who was also a year older). I passed him early on in the race and he couldn't keep pace. I crossed the finish line far ahead of him. For me it was a big deal. It seemed at the time that people were consoling the other racer and were hesitant to fully congratulate me - but it probably wasn't really how it happened. Anyway, Mr. Morrison came to the site near the end of the day and congratulated me - it was so great and he looked genuinely happy for me.
He taught me some great running advice - "when you start to slow down, speed up"... which seemed to work for me. I remember the race and my thought process when I first used that strategy. He also gave me great advice when the school tried to limit the number of sports students were allowed to participate in and thanks to his encouragement I didn't have to choose between tennis and track.
I also remember in my last year of high school, driving up in Mr. Morrison's car with three other runners and a conversation started as to who would have the best chance at running a marathon. I was easily the worst cross country runner of the group, but Mr. Morrison picked me.
Several years ago (several years after high school) I had a temp job at a school where Mr. Morrison's wife worked. I bought a thank-you card, wrote a note and asked his wife to pass it along to him. Even though I had never had him as a teacher in high school he had a huge impact on me during those years.
And in a couple of days I'll be running my first marathon.
Day 163 - 4 Days To Go
I took a rest day. I debated going for a run, but decided to that it would make more sense to relax. Something I'm not sure I've been doing well the past week. I'm having the standard pasta for dinner, bagels during the day, an energy bar here and there. Plus lots of water. Not sure I drank enough water today, but I still have a few more days to get it right.
Day 162 - 5 Days To Go
It was a run on my treadmill tonight - as I didn't get a chance to head outside before dark. It wasn't beautiful out anyway. It ended up being a total of 8.59km, started with 2 miles at easy pace, 4 x (5 minutes at threshold) and then about 10 minutes cool down. The run ended late and I had some trouble falling asleep afterwards. The key this week is not the running, but getting enough rest and eating/drinking well.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Day 161 - 5 Days To Go
One hour at easy pace today for a total of 10.98km. My legs don't seem to be working as well as I'd like them to be - I just couldn't seem to get them moving smoothly. I also spit on myself during the run - didn't tilt my head far enough and misjudged the wind. For a half second I couldn't figure out where it had disappeared to, then looked down and saw the spit on my shorts and shirt. Oh well.
A strong focus this week is on drinking lots of water and I think I got off to a good start. We'll see if I can keep it going for the full week. It can make a difference.
A strong focus this week is on drinking lots of water and I think I got off to a good start. We'll see if I can keep it going for the full week. It can make a difference.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Day 160 - 6 Days To Go
What a beautiful day for a run! It was another early morning wake up - but I didn't get out of the house to run until a little after 9am. I was out for 1 hour 28 minutes, 16.61km at easy pace.
Instead of 2 quality runs, the training schedule this week includes a specific run for each day of the week. The total mileage will be up a bit compared to last week with a few half hour runs before race day.
Instead of 2 quality runs, the training schedule this week includes a specific run for each day of the week. The total mileage will be up a bit compared to last week with a few half hour runs before race day.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Day 159 - 7 Days To Go
I woke up at 6am this morning - trying to keep my early morning schedule. Left my house at around 7:50am, got to the condo stairwell and turned back. I almost reached the door to my condo before I took a deep breath, and turned back around to head out for my run. No point in skipping a run now. (I was going to go later in the afternoon when it was warmer, but still.)
It was a short one - 6km around the neighborhood to get to my weekly mileage. Starting today I need to be very careful with what I eat - and I need to make sure that I'm drinking plenty of water. It's going to be a lot of pasta and bagels I think.
Week 23
4 runs
51.0km
4 hours 32 minute
Pledges: $1,520
It was a short one - 6km around the neighborhood to get to my weekly mileage. Starting today I need to be very careful with what I eat - and I need to make sure that I'm drinking plenty of water. It's going to be a lot of pasta and bagels I think.
Week 23
4 runs
51.0km
4 hours 32 minute
Pledges: $1,520
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